India Wildlife Expedition Trip Report!
 

Just discovered Fodor's forums and thought I would post a few of my trip reports. Here is a trip report of a recent trip that you all may enjoy - especially the nature and ecotravel enthusiasts out there! Would love to hear your comments and questions. Enjoy!

http://cokesmithphototravel.com/Expe...ndia_2011.html

fab pics....thanks

Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures. They are really professional photos. Wonder why more people haven't responded. It's always disappointing to share and not get a response. Please know your efforts in sharing are appreciated.

Lovely pics....thanks for sharing.

I'm really interested in your experience in Assam, as we did the planning for an Assam trip, then switched our destination to Sikkim (which we loved).

Hi Kathie - was your switch due to wildlife potential?

No words to describe it - just amazingly outstanding.....I have never done a wildlife expedition in India - now inspired by what you have seen, this one jumps onto my to do lists.....someday not in the very distant future

Wonderful report and amazing photos. Have bookmarked your site for our trip (at long last) to India. Would like to use your travel company for part of our trip since wildlife will just be a part of our "cultural" trip. Love the happenings on your train trip. Much of the best part of travel happens by chance when getting to know other travelers. I will try to make some of your wife's super recipes.

cokesmith, no, our switch was for cultural reasons. Assam is still on our list and I expect we'll get there in the next few years.

Elainee - you will be very happy with Wild World India. Tell them "Coke" sent you! They do cultural tours as well, so I am thinking that their same high level of service and quality would do well in that area as well. Best wishes!

Wow, what a trip. Amazing.

Wow indeed. You've answered my question before I could ask. I've just discovered the pleasures of viewing Asian wildlife in Sri Lanka, and am now giving India strong consideration. Thanks for posting.

Wow. Unbelievable photos. Now I know what my next trip to India will be! Thank you for sharing these very inspiring images.

And I just discovered your report. Wish I had earlier when you posted because I just got back from a fabulous Wild World India trip.

While there I told them about Fodors, of which they were unaware, and they checked it out and told me about "Coke's" report and what a good job you did. Naturally I came looking when I got home.

You had one amazing trip with some unique destinations. Great sightings everywhere! How do I tastefully commend you on your ass photos? Really, all nonsense aside, those are stunning with great light. Your birds too and the very striking blackbuck shots, wow! And of course the tigers--you captured their images brilliantly. What an excellent photographer you are and obviously you were in the right places at the right time. Which brings up my question of why you chose Dec 18 - Jan 9 and what you encountered in the way of holiday crowds?

Thanks, Coke! Your report and photos will inspire many to visit India for wildlife and they remind me that I need to get cracking on a report.

Elainee, while there, I was talking with Wild World India about cultural excursions and they can plan a personalized itinerary for that too. They told me that some of their clients spend weeks immersed in the cultural aspects of India. The Delhi and Agra portions of my trip were great.

Welcome back Lynn! Now get cracking!!!!!

Thanks for taking a look at the report, Lynn! Glad to know that the fellows from WWI found the trip report here - they certainly deserve the plug!

Spectacular report! Really enjoyed seeing all the fab pictures!

I took the liberty of putting a link to your report within mine (which as of this moment is a work in progress) to show how a trip during the one of the busiest times when foliage is at its thickest can be a wild success!

Your pictures are amazing. I really want to go on a wildlife trip to India but I am very concerned as I have read a lot of negatives about the National Parks and how crowded and crazy and really disrespectful of the animals they are. I think that would really bother me but do you have any recommendations to Parks that were better than others. We are thinking about Sri Lanka for next year but seeing those tiger pictures really make me want to go India. We are on our way to Madagascar in September and our looking for our next wildlife destination after that trip.

Atravelynn - thanks for linking the report. Perhaps more people will read it!

Ihgreenacres - some of what you mention are true. The parks in India can be extremely crowded at times and there were incidents on the trip where disrespect of the animals did appear to be a factor. But the majority of our sightings were pretty good ones with few or no others around. We had some outstanding guides to be sure and they knew what we wanted and did a great job giving us amazing experiences. Timing can be a major factor for the crowds. I was told May is good. Fall is less crowded too. We were there in the peak of the peak seasons but we did manage some outstanding sightings and quality adventures...

Best of luck in Madagascar - here is our trip report from that amazing island!

http://cokesmithphototravel.com/Madagascar.html

Sri Lanka is high on our list as well. I hear the wildlife can be good there too.